Something New..."White on White"

There is absolutely something beautiful about wearing white in the wintertime. I looked for white in particular when I was craving something a little casual to add to my closet, which is soon to be cleansed (It's almost time for Spring shopping, although we are only in mid-winter...I need to make room!) I saw a couple cute finds at Zara that fit just what I was looking for and had to get them! Besides...they were on sale...which completely justifies anything, right?!...well, at least for me :)

A pair of sneakers in white, gold and black are versatile in my book and something that I can get a lot of use out of. I also couldn't resist the heel in the sole. I love wedge sneakers! However, I am still a little on the fence about this purchase.

Love the color combo! Shine on!

What do you all think? Keeper?!

I also wanted a nice white jacket. Not quite leather, but faux, I thought this would satisfy . The quilted pattern and gold zips just scream luxe for me and at $79.99, it was a not to be given up!

Perfect for a year round look, White quilted jacket hits the mark in my book!

 Cannot wait to wear this jacket! It's just so cute :)

My Hair Stories..."Kinky Twists and Curls"

After pressing my hair back in November...I needed to give my hair a much deserved break. I wanted to place my hair in a protective style to give it some shelter from the ridiculous cold weather that has been attacking the Northeast as of late (Thank you Polar Vortex!). I opted after washing and deep conditioning my hair...(Yay to no heat damage by the way!!) to place my hair in my beloved kinky twists. I didn't want them to long as I prefer that waist length style for summer, so I was thinking of going more of mid back length. I of course looked through sites and on Instagram to find a style that I could wear all the way through to my birthday and beyond, or at least until sometime in March, lol! I found this hairstyle courstesy of Natural Belle on Instagram:

I just loved the way her curls fall in this photo and was completely inspired to try something similar. I made my way to my hairdresser Nellie in BK, to have one of her girls work their magic:

After 5 hours sitting in a chair...I was pleased with the results! Not as long as the original pic from Natural Belle, but close enough for my liking :) I enjoyed the curls even more about a week later as they dropped a little more and became fuller and longer

Love this look! I will see if this can last as long as I predicted...I have no idea what I will wear for my bday next month otherwise, lol!

Beauty Profile..."New MAC Lipstick and Becca Cosmetics"

I love picking up new makeup for my every growing makeup bag. Sephora might as well be my middle name at this point, lol. I picked up two new products, one to replenish what was already used and a brand new one that I have been dying to try!

I have been on a lipstick craze as of late and finally have been able to become more and more comfortable with wearing colors that I normally would shy away from. I was always nervous about having my lips stand out more than they already do naturally, but the older I get, the confidence in what I have been given grows and so does the chance to try something new.

MAC lipstick in Heroine

Here enters the new lipstick Heroine, a M.A.C favorite, this bright, vivid purple/fuchsia color is just what I was looking for. The in your face bold color takes center stage on my full lips against my brown skin and lights up my face. The matte finish is just perfect where it lets the color come through without being too overpowering. Little to no makeup is needed besides a dab of concealer and eyes lined with mascara and black eyeliner. The perfect color for a bright and blessed 2014!

Becca Cosmetics Dual Coverage Compact Concealer 

My second makeup choice was an oldie but a goodie. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect concealer and powder to help enhance my skin tone without looking caked on and super made up. That search alone can be exhausting and stressful. The more makeup brands I try and the more makeup counters I go to cause disappointment and fear (down with the clown makeup!).

Some time late 2012, I was having a terrible time with my skin and breakouts were the norm. Because my use of makeup is minimal for the everyday routine, I needed something to help hide the marks that were taking forever to fade away. I made my way into my favorite makeup chain store Sephora and went on a search for the best concealer for my brown skin. I had a Sephora makeup expert help and after trying on concealer after concealer...I found it! Becca Cosmetics, an Australian brand founded by Rebecca Morrice Williams, has a wide variety of concealers, powders, foundations, blushes and lip colors for every complexion. There is literally a color for every woman! My favorite find in the line is the Dual Coverage Compact Concealer in Almond.  

The color blends perfectly with my skin to a point wear it is almost undetectable. Perfect for my everyday life. Depending on how I want to wear my makeup on a particular day, I can go from Extra to Medium coverage. The choice makes me feel as though I own two different concealers, which I love!
To add to the look, I put on Becca Cosmetics Perfect Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Mink.

Becca Cosmetics Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Mink

Love the color! Also comes in a cute carrying pouch!

It blends in with my concealer and complexion so well, it gives me that no makeup look I crave. Extra perfection for my somewhat oil prone skin and the final touch to my everyday face :)

Have you tried Becca Cosmetics and/or M.A.C. lipstick in Heroine? How do you like them?

Baked Goods..."Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies"

Over the Holiday Season I scored an amazing magazine filled with different kinds of treats that I couldn't wait to try out for myself. I love to bake and when I saw a recipe for Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies...I just HAD to make it. Nothing screams delicious to me more than red velvet anything! The recipe was easy to follow and quick to bake so it was a great little dessert to give out as gifts and as an end to a terrific holiday meal. Here is the recipe below with a link to the magazine from Hoffman Media, that has even more scrumptious desserts to try!

Recipe: via Holiday Entertaining Magazine 2013

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar, divided
5 large eggs, divided
1 (1-ounce) bottle red food coloring
1 tsp distilled white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (8-ounce)package cream cheese, softened

Steps:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray with flour
-In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter and cocoa until mixture is smooth.
-In a large bowl, beat 1 and 3/4 cups sugar  and 4 eggs at medium-high speed with an electric mixture until fluffy.
-Reduce speed to medium-low and beat in food coloring, vinegar, vanilla and butter mixture, beating until combined.
-Gradually beat in flour.

-Spoon batter into prepared pan.

-In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and remaining egg at medium speed with a mixture until smooth.

-Drop cream cheese mixture by heaping Tbsps on top of the batter in pan.

-Gently swirl the mixture with a knife.

-Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.

-Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!

Style Profile..."Peter Pilotto for Target"

I'm really looking forward to the new designer collaboration for Target! British designer Peter Pilotto and his codesigner, Christopher De Vos, have lent their talents to successful store chain to create an amazing collection of dresses, tops, skirts, pants and even swimsuits, towels, shoes and totes for a vast audience to get their hands on. Known for their statement prints, the Peter Pilotto collection is out of this world amazing.  Just looking at the pieces will light up the eyes of any fashion enthusiast! The shapes, designs and colors will make the days of Spring and Summer, feel as though they are just around the corner. And with prices ranging from $15-$80 for clothing items and $17-$40 for all of the accessories, you cannot go wrong. Knowing that the anticipation is high, the pieces will be sold not only at Target, but around the world through Net-a-Porter. The only thing disappointing about the collection is that it won't hit stores/ on-line until February 9th. Don't fret...here's a sneak peek at the collection to tie you over:

all photos: via popsugar.com

Just gorgeous! I can't wait!

Some Hairspiration..."Up and Away"

What better way to change up a your hairstyle than to experiment with updos. Easy and elegant all at the same time, you can do just about any with your hair when you pin it up. For work or for play, updos are the perfect solution to a hair rut. Buns, pompadours, and for-hawks...anything can be done as long as you have an arsenal of bobby pins and creativity at your fingertips. Here's some inspiration for your eyes. Enjoy!

                                                         Twisted updo and color galore

                                            Pompadours are the way to go for instant class

                                                             High bun....high style

Putting your long twists into an updo is easy and quick change

From wearing it out

                                         The color in the bangs of this updo is everything.

                                               Ombré will be the answer to any color rut

                                                                   Fro-hawk excellence!

                                           Placing your hair in a high ponytail and twisting it

                                  Into a bun can be the finishing touch to an outfit for a night out

                                               All photos: via hi-imcurrentlyobsessed.com

Style Profile..."Chanel No. 5 Bag"

My oh My, you both are fine!

Ummm...Yes Please!!  Is literally all I can say about these bags designed by Chanel. Made in the shape of the iconic perfume bottle and hanging from the brands signature chain, these bags are classic and fly all at the same darn time! In Black and Clear Lucite, this is definitely the new IT bag of the season right now.

Rihanna and her No. 5's
photo: various sources

And of course Rihanna got her hands on not one...but BOTH of these beautiful items! This would make sense in every sense of the word, because well..it's Rihanna, a fashion muse in the making. Now for us mere mortals...owning even one of these may be a stretch. The Chanel No. 5 bags retail at a pricey $9,500 each. So unless you are sitting on a large savings account...I think just looking at them will serve me fine, lol! A girl can dream of course ;)

My Hair Stories..."From Straight Lines to a Curly Road"

Earlier in the holiday season last year around late November, I went for a drastic change with my hair, well at least for me, lol. I am always in the mood for a new and different hairstyles. I love seeing what look my hair can achieve every time I turn to look at myself in my hairdressers mirror. Racking my brain, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do for the next visit to my hairdresser's chair. As I thought and thought about what to do next...I realized that there was something that I hadn't done in 3 years to my hair and decided to press it. Yes...add extreme amounts of heat to my natural hair that I hold so dear to my heart, but I did it, not only for a length check but for a thorough trim as well. I was always used to standing out with my styles so I figured...why not? Normal can be a good change:

Now I was beyond excited with the results and I whipped my hair back and forth as I paraded out of my hairdresser Nellie's salon. I should have known better, that this would not last as I have the most stubborn hair known to man. After a few days in the cold, but high humidity weather found in November, my hair had done everything but revert back to my beloved 'fro. Especially after my trip to San Francisco, my hair ended up looking like this:

The frizz is here...

I flat ironed twice after the frizz reared its ugly head and realized that I could not allow this much heat to come in contact with my hair. The fear of heat damage was real y'all. To salvage the press without using heat, I went another route...and twisted my hair in sections and pin curled every twist before bed to create a style that looked like this:

NYE hair

The technique of twisting and pin curling my hair allowed my press to last for basically an entire month. My hair went from straight, to frizzy, to curly all by figuring out what I could do to my hair without heat. It turned out that I am definitely more comfortable with my protective styles, but the chance to wear my hair out and about....wether straight or curly was a great change from my normal routine.

Well Looky Here..."Warming up in Winter"

With winter weather at it's worst right now on the East coast (3 degrees anyone?!)...all I can think about is keeping warm this time of year. The best way to do so is to invest in a warm, but stylish winter coat. The key is to always go for a coat that will keep the heat in, but not sacrifice the personal style of the wearer...something very hard to do when its 35 degrees out, sigh! For inspiration, I of course found my way to LookBook to see what others wear to keep themselves bundled, but every so chic. Here are my favorite looks:

 The weather may not seem so cold by the looks of the photo, but that baby blue wool coat 

makes it seem as though you can wear anything and still keep out the cold.

 Think Pink! And go for a long wool coat with a large collar to keep the cold away.

The bright color will always send away the winter blues.

 This black dress coat with the flared out bottom is so sexy and to die for! 

With a sleek fit, high collar and perfect knee length, it can almost pass for a dress.

 For inspiration, wear your winter coat over your shoulders like a cape.

Stylish and effective, especially with a thick scarf to keep the cold at bay.

 Winter white can make any outfit seem dressed up

The Timberland boots, skull hat and Chanel purse go hand in hand in this cold weather ensemble.

I need to get a white winter dress coat ASAP!

 What's the purpose of owning a winter coat if it isn't leopard print, lol!

This coat looks plush and soft and the style can be seen for miles away.

To tone down a loud coat...always go for an all black everything outfit.

 Gray skies call for a gray coat.

Perfect color pallete against the black sweater and the white winter snow

 I think I really may just pick up a pink winter coat. 

This adds so much life to the outfit that it protects

Mad for plaid? Indeed! This wool jacket looks warm 

and is just colorful enough to even wear in the Fall!

all photos: via lookbook.nu